Seoul: Korean Drinking Games Night (non-drinkers welcome)

Hongdae’s Korean drinking culture is less about sitting quietly with one glass and more about quick games, shared snacks, loud laughter, and learning the rules as you go. This two-hour night with Taeseong, also known as Hongdae Boy, gives you a friendly way into that world, even if you know no one in Seoul.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which makes it easier to join in rather than watch from the edge. I also like the clear non-drinker policy: you can use soft drinks instead of beer or soju and still play every game. The main drawback is time. Two hours can feel short once you allow for meeting up, walking to the bar, and explaining the harder games.

Key points to know before booking

• Korean games, not a standard pub crawl: You learn social games tied to Korean university drinking culture, including the games used for somaek and soju bombs.
• Non-drinkers can take part: Soft drinks are included, and the games do not require alcohol to be fun.
• Taeseong leads the night: He explains the rules in English, repeats them when needed, and helps solo visitors settle into the group.
• Food is included: Beer, soju, soft drinks, and a kimchi seafood pancake are part of the $39 price.
• Hongdae is the setting: You meet beside Hongik University Station Exit 8 and finish at a local bar near the nightlife area.
• Plan your pace: The games can become harder after a few drinks, so you can choose soft drinks, sip slowly, or stop drinking at any point.

Why Korean drinking games are worth your evening

A night out in Seoul can be hard to break into if you are alone or visiting for the first time. Bars and restaurants may be easy to find, but meeting people usually takes more effort. This activity solves that problem with a simple structure: sit down, learn a game, make mistakes together, and laugh about them.

The games were created by university students looking for a way to relax and enjoy campus life. That detail helps explain their style. They are quick, playful, and built around group attention. You are not expected to give a speech or know much about Korea. You just need to watch, remember the pattern, and react before the next person does.

Some games are easy at first. Then somebody speeds up the rhythm, changes the order, or adds a rule. A few drinks can make simple instructions much less simple. That is part of the fun, but it is also why you should not treat the evening as a race to consume alcohol.

You can play with beer, soju, or a soft drink. This makes the activity useful for people who do not drink, are taking a break, or simply want to keep a clear head for the rest of the night.

Meeting Taeseong beside Hongik University Station

The meeting point is in front of Starbucks next to Hongik University Station Exit 8, at Yanghwa-ro 166. Look for a guide wearing a badge with the activity’s Instagram QR code, @korean_drinking_games_night.

This is a practical meeting point because Hongdae is busy and the station has several exits. Use the exact address in Naver Map, written as 양화로 166, rather than relying only on the activity name. Arrive with your passport or ID card, since identification is listed as something to bring.

The walk to the bar takes you through busy Hongdae streets. That is part of the setting, but it can be the least smooth part of the evening. Keep your group together and follow the guide, especially at a crowded time. If you arrive late, do not wait at the station. Go directly to the bar, 홍대주막, at 와우산로21길 12-3.

Taeseong’s role matters here. The strongest part of the experience is not just the games themselves, but the way he gets a mixed group moving in the same direction. English is the tour language, and the games do not need advanced English. You can follow by watching the demonstration, then trying it yourself.

Inside the local bar: games, drinks, and a kimchi pancake

The main activity takes place in a local bar in Hongdae. The setting is more useful than a polished sightseeing stop because Korean drinking culture is normally learned in places where people eat, pour drinks, tease one another, and play games together.

Your included food is a Korean pizza, described as a kimchi seafood pancake. It gives the group something to share while Taeseong explains the rules. It is also a good match for beer and soju, and it keeps the evening from becoming drinks on an empty stomach.

Beer and soju are included in the $39 price. You will learn how to mix somaek, the familiar combination of soju and beer, and how to make a soju bomb in the dramatic style often seen in Korean entertainment. The point is not simply to knock back a strong drink. You are learning the rituals and group habits that surround these drinks.

If you do not drink alcohol, ask for soft drinks and use them in the games. The activity is built around participation, not alcohol tolerance. A non-drinker can still lose a round, take a sip of a soft drink, and remain part of the joke.

The games may begin with simple instructions, but some become difficult once the pace rises. Taeseong is known for explaining them clearly and patiently repeating the rules when people get confused. That is important in a group where some people may be experienced with Korean drinking games and others may be seeing them for the first time.

A two-hour evening with a small international group

The group is limited to 10 people. That size gives the evening a social feel without turning it into a crowd. You will probably meet a mixture of solo visitors, pairs, and friends traveling together. Solo participants should not assume they will be left out. The format gives you an immediate reason to talk to people.

I would book this near the beginning of a Seoul visit if you want to meet people quickly. Several people have continued playing the games later in the trip, which tells you how memorable the rules can be. You may leave with new friends, or at least with a few games you can teach at your next dinner.

The two-hour length is both a strength and a weakness. It is short enough to fit before another night out and not so long that you are committed to drinking until late. It is also short enough that the group may still be learning when the official end arrives, especially if late arrivals slow down the start.

A useful plan is to arrive early, eat something beforehand, and treat the scheduled time as the opening part of your night. If the group wants to continue, Taeseong has sometimes recommended or shown people where to go afterward. That after-party is not listed as part of the paid activity, so consider it a possible extra rather than a promised feature.

What the $39 price really covers

At $39 per person, the value depends on how you would otherwise spend your first evening in Hongdae. You are paying for a guide, a small group, beer and soju, soft drinks for non-drinkers, and a shared kimchi seafood pancake. You also receive an organized introduction to games and drinking customs that would be difficult to learn from a guidebook.

The included drinks make the price easier to judge. If you drink beer and soju during the evening and eat the pancake, the package can compare well with paying separately at a Seoul bar. Non-drinkers still receive value through the guide, food, group activity, and soft drinks, although the package is naturally most attractive to people who want the complete food and drink experience.

The bigger value is social. You are not just buying alcohol. You are buying a structured way to meet people and a local host who explains what is happening. For a solo visitor, that can be more useful than saving a few dollars on an unplanned night at a bar.

There is no Korean drama star included, despite the playful note about a Korean oppa from a K-drama. You get a friendly local guide instead, which is the more practical deal.

The best fit for solo visitors and curious non-drinkers

I would recommend this to solo visitors who want company but do not want a formal sightseeing tour. The games give you something to do with new people, so conversation does not have to carry the whole evening.

It also suits pairs and small friend groups. You can learn the games together and use them later at restaurants or parties. If you are visiting with friends, remember that the small group format works best when you include other people rather than staying in your own circle.

Non-drinkers should feel comfortable booking, provided they are happy in a bar setting. Soft drinks are included, and the rules do not require alcohol. The activity is less suitable if you dislike noisy group games, being called on to react quickly, or spending an evening around alcohol.

You should also think about your energy level. Hongdae is a nightlife district, and the experience is designed as a lively start to the night. It is not a quiet cultural lecture. The guide explains Korean etiquette and drinking customs, but you learn them through play.

Practical details that make the night easier

The activity lasts two hours and is guided in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when choosing a date.

Bring your passport or ID card. Wear shoes and clothes that are comfortable for walking through crowded streets and sitting in a casual bar. Most important, arrive at the station meeting point on time. The walk through Hongdae can be challenging when the streets are packed, and late arrivals must make their own way to 홍대주막.

I would also decide before you arrive how much you want to drink. You can choose alcohol or soft drinks, and you do not need to match the pace of anyone else. Somaek and soju bombs are part of the fun, but they are also stronger than a casual glass of beer. Eating the included pancake and drinking water later are sensible choices.

Should you book the Korean Drinking Games Night?

Book it if you want a social, hands-on introduction to Korean drinking culture and you like the idea of learning through games rather than sitting through a lecture. Taeseong’s clear English, patient explanations, and attention to solo participants are central to the experience.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to first-time solo visitors, people who want to meet others in Seoul, and non-drinkers who still enjoy group games. The $39 price is fair when you count the food, drinks, guide, and organized social setting.

Skip it if you want a quiet evening, a long meal, or a carefully paced cultural tour. The two-hour schedule can feel rushed, and Hongdae’s busy streets may make the transfer from the station less relaxed than the bar portion.

For most people looking for a fun first night in Seoul, this is a good way to get started. Arrive early, bring your ID, choose your drinking pace, and be ready to lose a few rounds with a smile.

FAQ

Where does the Korean Drinking Games Night meet?

The meeting point is in front of Starbucks next to Hongik University Station Exit 8. The address is Yanghwa-ro 166, written as 양화로 166 in Naver Map.

Where should I go if I am late?

Go directly to the bar, 홍대주막, at 와우산로21길 12-3. The station meeting point is only for the scheduled start.

Is the activity suitable for people who do not drink alcohol?

Yes. Non-drinkers are welcome, and soft drinks are included. You can use a soft drink while playing the games.

What drinks and food are included?

Beer, soju, soft drinks, and a Korean pizza described as a kimchi seafood pancake are included.

Which language is the activity conducted in?

The activity is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. You should also arrive ready to take part in fast-paced games and follow the guide’s instructions.